Wrapping machine



Feb. 3, 1931. E. L. SMITH ET AL WRAPPING MACHINE Sheets-$heet 1 Filed May 21. 1928 EN N 2 7 INVENT2R5 kdJ' ATTORNEYS;

Feb. 3 1931. E. L. SMITH ET AL 1,791,171

WRAPPING mamas Filed May 21, 1928 '1 Sheets-Sheet 2 EZ IN ENOBJ A TTORNEYS.

Feb. 3, 1931. I E, L, SMITH T L 1,791,171

WRAPYING MACHINE Filed May 21, 1928 7 Sheets-Sheet 3' INVE T0125 flu. of

BY W A TTORNEYS.

Feb. 3, 1931. E. 1.. SMITH ETAL 1,791,171

WRAPPING MACHINE Filed May 21, 1928 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 MORNEYS.

Feb. 3, 1931. E. 1.. SMITH ETA'L 1,791,171

WRAPPING momma Filed ma 21. 1928 7 sheets-sheet 5 4 M. BY )5? 3%? TTORNEYS.

' Feb. 3, 1931. E. 1., SMITH ET AL 7 WRAPPING MACHINE Filed May 21, 1928 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 INV TORI 151 ATTORNEYS.

Feb. 3, 1931. E. SMITH ETAL 1,791,171

- WRAPPING nouns Filed May 21. 1928 '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 E75 76% Ff ki 7f 175 W 1: '2' 7 BY fig/Z- ATTORNEYS.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELMER I. SMITH, 0F LONGMEADOW, AND FBEDEBIC B. FULLER, 0F SPRINGFIELD, MAS- SACHUSETTS, ASSIGNORS TO PACKAGE MACHINERY COMPANY, OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS WRAPPING MACHINE Application filed May 21, 1928. Serial No. 279,238.

This invention relates to improvements in wrapping machines and is directed more particularly to cooperating article handling and wrapper folding mechanism therefor.

Usually in a wrapping machine various parts for operating on the article and wrapper are reciprocated back and forth so that there is necessarily a slowing down in speed as well as a dwell in time at the ends of the strokes of these parts, as one part is operated after another part has come to rest. In effect, during each cycle of operation there is a considerable loss in time and a consequent reduction in the output of such a machine. In a small machine, such as would be used for wrapping small articles such as bars of soap, this is objectionable, but it is IHDIGWtlODflblG where it is desired to wrap articles of comparatively larger size, such as a shgebox or the like, in which case the loss of time is increased and the output further reduced; because in a larger machine the length of the stroke of the reciprocating parts is increased, which naturally increases the length of the dwell periods of the parts.

According to the novel features of the invention, these objections are overcome by arranging the parts which act on the article and wrapper so that one part may operate during the operation of another and thereby effect a saving in time and an increase in the output of the machine.

Another object of the invention is the provision of independently movable means for acting on an article and wrapper which are timed in their operation so that the movement of one overlaps the movement of another, thereby effecting a saving in time and an increase in the output of the machine.

A further object of the invention is the provision of means for varying the rate of travel of the transporting means so that the transporter may cooperate with certain wrapper creasing means to effect a folding of a wrapper about an article.

The novel features of the invention are adapted for use in connection with wrapping machines in general, which in the form at present preferred are shown in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a machine embodying the features of the inventlon;

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevational view on the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a similar View taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4. is a plan View taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Figs. 5 and 6 are detail front elevational views of the mechanism for operating the transporter;

Figs. 7 and 8 are vertical elevational sectional views taken through the mechanism shown in Figs. 5 and 6;

Figs. 9 to 13, inclusive, are diagrammatic views of the certain parts of the mechanism showing certain of the folding operations;

Figs. 14; and 15 are perspective views showing how a wrapper is folded about an article to form a wrapped package; and Fig. la is a perspective view of the label picker.

Referring to the drawings in detail, a machine embodying the novel combination and arrangement of parts will now be described.

A forward frame member 1 and a rear frame member 2 are provided which are tied together at opposite ends by transverse struts 3 suitably secured thereto. Also as constituting the frame work, other frame members in the form of brackets 4 and 5 are secured at their upper and lower ends to the rear frame 2 (see Figs. 1, 2 and 3). Longitudinal spaced-apart bars 6 and 7, fixed to the lower ends of the brackets 4L and 5, are provided to form a part of the supporting structure and other bars 8 and 9 thereabove and parallel thereto are fixed to the upper ends of said brackets.

Extending upwardly from the frame 1 and secured thereto at their lower ends are supports 12 and 18, to the upper ends of which is fixed another longitudinal supporting bar 14, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. The tied together frames, brackets, and bars described, form a rigid framework for supporting the various parts of the machine, as will appear.

A main driving shaft 20, disposed transversely of the machine, is suitably journaled in the frames 1 and 2 and may be driven by a pulley, motor, or any other means desider, and has fixed thereto a gear 21 which is in meshing engagement with a gear 22 fixed to a longitudinal shaft 24, which shaft 24 is journaled in the brackets 4 and 5.

A feed chute C for delivering articles into the machine is formed by a supporting plate 25 and side guide members 26. The chute is supported by the frame 1 at one end and by a standard 27 of well-known form at its other end (see Fig. 3). Belt driving pulleys 29 fixed to the driven shaft 24 and idler pulleys 8O journaled in the standard 27 support endless feed conveyer belts 31, the upper run of which ride along the plate 25 of the chute C and serve as they are driven by the pulleys 29 to urge articles such as A along the chute and into the machine.

An elevator E disposed for an up and down movement between the belts comprises an upper supporting plate 35 (Fig. 3) and an angularly disposed stop plate 36 which are secured to a rack rod 38 slidable in spaced guides 39 of a bracket 40 fixed to the sup porting bars 6 and 7 (see Fig. 3). This bracket 40 serves also as a bearing for a shaft 42 which extends to the right of the elevator as viewed in F 1 and is journaled at its opposite end in a bearing 43 fixed to the longitudinal bars 6 and 7. A gear 44 fixed to the shaft 42 engages with suitable teeth in the rack rod 38 and functions as the shaft rotates in one direction or the other to raise and lower the elevator.

The shaft 42 is rotated by the following means. A gear 45 fixed to the shaft 24 meshes with and drives a gear 46 fixed on a shaft 47 which is journalcd in the brackets 4 and 5. A. rack 49, pivotally connected to the gear 46 as at 50 (Fig. 3), has its lower end in meshing engagement with a gear 50 (Fig. 1) on the end of the shaft 42. The rack 49 is slidable in a bracket 51 pivoted on shaft 42 and is held thereby in engagement with the gear 50 so that as the gear 46 is rotated the rack is swung back and forth to rotate the gear 50 and the shaft 42 in one direction or the other, which raises and lowers the elevator.

Transverse bars 55 and 56 (Fig. 1), se cured to the longitudinal bars 9 and 14 and spaced apart above the elevators, carry side plates 57 and 58, which, in conjunction with a rear plate 59 (see Fig. 3) connected between the bars 55 and 56, form a chute for the articles as they are fed forwardly into the machine by the conveyer belts. The plate 59 serves as a stop for the foremost article carried by the belts and as an article is elevated from off the belts, the plates serve as a guide therefor to properly guide and position it. The rear plate 36 of the elevator serves, when the elevator is raised, to hold back a stack of articles which may be carried by the belts which are continually urging articles forwardly along the chute.

As an article is elevated or raised upwardly from off the belts, its upper side engages with a sheet of wrapping material YV disposed thereabove in a horizontal plane and guided in properposition by side guides 65 and 66 (Fig. 1) which extend transversely of the machine. rapper supports 67, held in spaced relation between the guides and extending transversely of the machine, are sup ported by the bars 14 at their forward ends and by the bars 9 at their rear ends.

Various form of mechanism may be employed for delivering successive sheets of wrapping material to the guides and supports. The sheets may be fed from a stack of sheets by the mechanism shown in the patent to Smith No. 1,594,637 of Oct. 9, 1927, or a sheet may be cut from a roll and delivered or fed to the guides by the mechanism shown in the patent to Smith No. 1,542,107 of June 16, 1926. Either of the mechanisms shown may be carried at the rear side of the machine and driven from the machine so as to deliver a wrapper of suitable size in timed relation with respect to the elevator. When fed to the machine, the wrapper edges will be guided in the guides while the body of the wrapper will be supported intermediate its side edges by the supports 67 described.

A transverse supporting bar 70 is provided above the plate 57 of the elevator chute and a bar 72 is located above the plate 58 as shown in Fig. 1. The bar 72 supports one end of an article supporting plate 71, the upper edge of which is rounded as shown at 71 in Fig. 10. As an article and a wrapper are elevated or raised upwardly, the bars 70 and 7 2 wipe the upper corners of the article and lay the wrapper against the sides of the article and as the article is raised above the table its opposite sides are embraced between downwardly extending plates 75 and 76 on the arms 77 of a transporter T which will presently be described. The plate 76 is preferably made yieldable in any of the well known manners, in order to accommodate slight variations in packing size.

Means for cooperating with the elevator for making certain folds in the wrapper will now be described, with particular reference to Figs. 1 and 2.

Racks 80, in spaced relation longitudinally of the machine and located at the left of the elevator as viewed in 1, are reciprocable in guides 81 and 82, which are fixed to transverse rods 83 carried by the forward and rear frames 1 and 2. Gears 84 in mesh with the racks are fixed to a shaft 85 which is oscillatable in brackets 82 and which has fixed thereto a pinion 86. As the shaft 85 is rocked back and forth, the racks are likewise reciprocated, carrying folders F on the forward ends thereof, which act to form certain tucks in the ends of the wrapper, as will later appear.

A lower folder F1 in the form of plate, and disposed in a horizontal plane, has its rear end secured to longitudinal plates 90 which are fixed to brackets 91 slidable on the racks 80, so that the folder F-1 is carried by the racks but is slidable with respect thereto. Springs 92, having their opposite ends connected to the folder F and to the rear bracket 91, tend to urge the lower folder F forwardly of the racks 80 and side folders F to the position shown, and as the racks are moved forwardly permit the racks and folder F to travel beyond the folder F1 when bumpers 95 secured to the latter folder bring up against bumpers 130 fixed to the supporting plate 71.

A bracket 100 fixed to the ends of the bars 6 and 7 has a. stud 101 (Fig. 2) on its upper end on which is mounted for rotation a bevel gear 102 in meshing engagement with and driven by a bevel pinion 103 fixed to the end of drive shaft 24. A rack 104 pivoted to the bevel gear 102 is in engagement with the pinion 86 of shaft 85 and slides in a bracket 86 oscillatable on said shaft, so that as the gear 102 is rotated the rack is moved back and forth to rock the shaft 85 and thereby to move the racks 80 and folders back and forth.

The transporter T comprises a longitudinal beam member 110 having fixed thereto downwardly depending spaced members 77 which carry transverse plates 111, 112 and 113 in addition to the plates 75 and 76 previously referred to. The plates 75 and 76 form a pocket for receiving an article while the others are provided for engaging and propelling articles along the table.

The opposite ends of the transporter (see Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8) are pivotally mounted on studs 115 which are eccentrically disposed on pinions 116 journaled for rotation on levers 117. These levers 117 are fixed to shafts 118, which are rotatable in drum members 119 fixed to the rear frames 2 and are counter-weighted by weights 117 to balance the weight of the transporter and parts. The drum members 119 are provided with internal gear teeth 120, which mesh with the teeth of the pinions 116 and serve to rotate the pinions on their axis as the pinions are carried around by the levers. As the gears 116 are carried about shafts 118, they are rotated about their own axes by the internal gears 120, and carry the eccentric pins 115, to which the transporter T is pivoted, in a path formed by a composite of these motions.

One of the shafts 118 has fixed thereto a sprocket 121 which is connected by a chain 122 to a driving mechanism soon to be described. Crank arms 123, fixed to the two shafts 118, are connected at their outer ends by a connecting rod 124:.

As the levers 117 are rotated counter-clockwise in the direction of the arrow :10, the gears 116 are carried in a circular path represented by the dot-dash line 116 and rotate on their own axes in the direction of arrow y. The gears 116 and 120 are so proportioned that the pins 115 and the transporter travel through or describe a rectangularly shaped path represented generally by the dot and dash lines, which path in detail comprises upper and lower horizontal portions 6 and t and vertical side portions 6 and t which are joined by curved corner portions 8 and s at the ends thereof. As the transporter travels in the path described, the arm and plates thereof engage an article and advance it along the table, then raise thereabove and return rearwardly and lower again for another advancing movement.

The movement of the levers 117, gears 116, and consequently that of the transporter is so timed that the transporter is on its downward path t while the elevator is raising an article and wrapper upwardly between the bar 7 0 and plate 71 so that the pocket forming plates 75 and 76 of the transporter are in line with the article and receive and embrace the same to lay the wrapper around the article as in Fig. 10. As the transporter travels through the curve 8 of its path and thereby moves downwardly and forwardly, the plates 75 and 7 6 thereof carry the article forwardly of the elevator which at the same time is being elevated and is approaching the end of its upward movement.

The transporter and elevator cooperate with one another and with the curved sur face 71 of the supporting plate so that the lower right-hand corner of the article is drawn up and over the curved surface 71' and the flap 10 of the wrapper is wiped across the corner of the article. The article will be supported against the downward force of its own weight and the friction of the sides of the pocket as they continue their downward movement, at one corner by the plate 71, on two sides by the plates 75 and 76, and at the other corner by the folding plate F. As the elevator commences its lowering movement, the racks 80 supporting the lower and side folders F and F continue their simultaneous advance, the lower folder F sliding beneath the article and laying the wrapper flap WV against the lower side thereof, as in Fig. 13. The folder F serves to take the place of the elevator and support the article as well as fold the flap while the article is being fed forwardly by the transporter. As the end of the folder brings up against a bumper or stop 130 fixed to the plate 71, the racks 80 continue in their forward movement, so as to continue to carry the side folders F forwardly in their movement to engage the wrapper and form the side tucks or folds 131 at the rear side of the ends of the article.

The springs 92 connecting the folders F and F permit a relative sliding movement so that the folders F may continue in their forward movement after the folder F brings up against the stop, and may function to hold the tucks made until the article and wrapper are carried between other stationary side folders later to be described. The transporter in its forward movement passes through the portion 25 of its path and swings upwardly through the curve 8 and portions 2 to its upper rearward traveling portion t As distinguished from a uniform rate of movement for the transporter throughout a cycle of movement, according to one novel feature of the invention means are provided for driving the same at a nonuniform or at a reduced or retarded speed while it is rounding the curve 8 of its path. This is desirable in order that the elevator and transporter may cooperate to carry the article up and over the rounded surface of the plate 71 and thus allow time for the folders to operate for forming the folds or tucks as described. This retarding of the speed of the transporter is accomplished by means of the following mechanism which is shown particularly in Figs. 6 and 8, and which operates one of the shafts 118.

A weighted lever 140 is rotatable on a bearing member 141 secured to the rear frame 1 and is driven by a chain 142 which engages with a driven sprocket 143 fixed to the driving shaft 20 and a driven sprocket 144 fixed to the weighted lever 140, so that the lever 140 is rotated by said driving shaft 20. A shaft 145 journaled in the bearing member 141 has fixed to one end thereof a sprocket 146 which engages the chain 122 previously referred to, so that this shaft 145 drives the upper shafts 118 accordingly as it is in turn driven by the lever 140 by the connections therebetween now to be described.

A stationary or non-rotatable gear 150 is fixed to the stationary bearing member 141, and a gear 151 rotatable on the lever 140 is in mesh therewith. The gear 151 is rotated on its axis in the direction of the arrow 00 as the said gear is rotated about the gear 150 by the lever 140, the axis of the gear 151 describing a path y.

A member 160 fixed to shaft 145 has a fixed rod 161 extending therefrom, which is slidably received by a bracket 162 pivotally mounted on a stud 163, eccentric-ally disposed on the gear 151, so that by these connections the shaft 145 is rotated by the gear 151. As the arm 140 is thus rotated counter-clockwise about the shaft 145, the gear 151 is carried thereby about the stationary gear 150 and is caused to make one complete counter-clockwise revolution on its own axis during one complete revolution of the arm 140.

With the parts in the position shown in Fig. 6, the pin 163 is nearest the shaft 145, and

as the gear 151 is rotated the pin is moved away from the shaft. As the lever arm 140 swings counter-clockwise from the position shown, the gear 151 which is also rotated counter-clockwise on its axis moves the pin 163 with relation to the lever in a direction opposed to the direction of movement of said lever and will continue so to do until its axis intersects the path of rotation 3 of the gear 151, which point of intersection is indicated by 2 While the pin travels in a direction opposite to that of the lever 140, it moves through a less angle than does the lever 140, so that during this period of time the rod 161 and consequently the shaft 145 is bein driven at a speed which is less than that or the lever. In effect, the speed of the shaft 145 is retarded for a time as is desired, that portion of the path of the pin 163 during which the speed is retarded being represented at 2 The parts are so constructed and arranged that the retarded speed period of the drivin mechanism coincides with the movement or the transporter as it moves downwardly to receive the article and feed it forwardly at a retarded speed so as to cooperate with the elevator and allow the folders to operate as has been described.

Stationary side folders F2 of well known form are supported by brackets 170 fixed to the plate 71 and are spaced apart to receive therebetween an article as it is advanced by the transporter into the position represented by dotted lines at A2. These folders form a tuck 172 in the forward side of the wrapper at opposite ends of the article in the usual manner. Upper folders F3 and lower folders F4 of ordinary form, carried by the brackets 170, extend rearwardly therefrom and lay the extending ends 174 and 175 of the wrapper in overlapping relation against the ends of the article as the article and wrapper are subsequently advanced therepast by the transporter into the position represented at A3.

Hold down plates 176 resiliently supported by bars 177 fixed to the upper folders F3 are arranged to bear upon the upper opposite ends of the article and press the same against the table. Spaces are provided between adjacent ends of the plates and bars so that the transporter plates 76, 111. 112 and 113 may after each forward article-shifting movepass upwardly therebetween and again lower to engage the rear side of the articles.

A label. or end seal L is applied to the overlapped wrapper flaps 174 and 175 at opposite ends of the article in the usual manner by mechanism which will be briefly described.

Label magazines 180 for holding a stack of labels L in endwise relation are provided at each side of the machine and at the inner sides thereof include an oscillatable label suction picker 181, as shown in detail in Fi g. 4a.

his picker is adapted to grasp the marginal edge of the foremost label of the stack and present the same so that it may be engaged by the nipper 183 of a rotatable label-apply ing drum 186. The mechanism shown is similar to the label-applying device shown in the U. S. Patent No. 1,311,643 to Fischer, dated July 29, 1919. As the label is removed from the magazine and rotated by the drum 186 of the label-applying device, it is brought into rolling contact with a vertically disposed rotatable gumming wheel 187 of a gum pot 188 and is supplied thereby with gum. The label picker 181 is provided with an extending arm 182 which is engaged by a roll 184' fixed to a gear 184 at the lower side of the label-applying drum. This roll swings the picker arm on its axis so that a label is presented thereby to one of the grippers 183; or if desired, the picker 181 may be actuated in the manner shown in the Fischer patent referred to.

Pulleys 190 journaled on a vertical axis are connected by a shaft 192 and gears 191 for simultaneous operation and drive endless conveyer belts 195 which pass over idler pulleys 198. These belts are adapted to embrace opposite ends of articles to press the labels thereagainst, while plates 200 are urged forwardly by springs 201 so that an article between the belts will be yieldingly embraced by the belts and fed forwardly of the machine. The label applying drums and pulleys 190 are geared together by gears 184, 188 and 189, the last of which is carried by the pulleys 190.

The label pickers are connected by flexible pipes 205 to a vacuum pump 205 pivoted to a rod 206 extending between the frames 1 and 2. The piston 207 of the pump is reciprocated by a connecting rod 208 connected to and operated by the member 160 of the transporter actuating means. A valve 209 for opening and closing the end of the vacuum pump cylinder is moved between open and closed positions by a lever 210 and a link 211. The upper end 212 of the lever works in a slot 213 in the table and may extend thereabove as shown in Fig. 1, and is adapted to be depressed by an article passing over the table to thereby close the valve, or to be raised by a weight 214 if there is no package on the table over the end of the lever and thereby open the valve.

When the valve is open, as when the end of the lever 12 is elevated, the reciprocating piston will not build up a vacuum, whereby the picker will not in that case grasp the endmost label of the stack and present it to the gripper of the label-applying device. By means of this valve, which is thus under the control of the articles, the action of the pump will be controlled in its action so that no label will be withdrawn from the stack unless there is an article to receive it.

A summary of the operation of the mech anism described will now be given. As the transporter, including the pocket forming plates and 76, is moving downwardly (path portion t in Fig. 5), the elevator rises, carrying the article and wrapper first between the ledges 70 and 72 and then into the downwardly moving pocket. About in the position of Fig. 11, the pin 115 starts to round the corner .9 (Fig. 5), its speed being at this time reduced by the mechanism shown in Fig. 6. This carries the article and wrapper onto the upper rounded corner of ledge 2', creasing the wrapper tightly around the lower right-hand corner of the article as viewed in Fig. 11.

At practically the same time the folders F and F start their advance, folder F passing under the article to both make the fold w and give support to the article. The motion of folder F stops when it strikes the stop 130, but due to the spring connection 92 folder F continues. During this motion of the folders, the article is being moved towards the right in Fig. 1 into the folding channel by the transporter T. At first this motion is given by the pocket members 75, 76, and subsequently is continued by the pushers 111, 112, 113 to carry the article past the folders F3 and F4, which fold the extensions 171 and 175, and past the label applying device. As the transporter moves upwardly, the article is held in the folding channel by the top plate-s 176, and remains stationary until engaged by the next succeeding pusher on the transporter.

What we claim is:

1. A wrapping machine comprising a wrapping channel, an article receiving pocket, an article elevator, and means for moving the pocket and elevator simultaneously in opposite direction and in substantial alignment with each other towards the channel and for then moving the pocket along the channel.

2. A wrapping machine comprising a wrapping channel, an article receiving pocket, means for moving said pocket first in a substantially straight line into the channel and then along the channel, and means for moving an article and a wrapper into the polcket while the latter is entering the channe 5 a 3. A wrapping machine comprising a wrapping channel having a curved wrapper creasing ledge at its entrance, an article receiving pocket, means for moving the pocket in a path first extending into the channel in a substantially straight line, then curving towards the line of the channel, and then extending along the channel, and a plunger movable towards the pocket to deliver an article and wrapper thereto as the latter approaches the channel, the curved ortion of the path of the pocket being efective to slide the article over the surface of the plunger and around the curved creasing ledge.

4. A wrapping machine comprising a wrapping channel having a curved wrapper creasing ledge at its entrance, an article receiving pocket, means for moving the pocket in a path first extending into the channel in a substantially straight line, then curving towards the line of the channel, and then extending along the channel, a. reciprocating plunger movable towards the pocket to deliver an article and wrapper thereto as the latter approaches the channel, the curved portion of the path of the pocket being effective to slide the article over the surface of the plunger and to slide one corner of the article around the curved creasing ledge as the plunger nears the end of its article delivering movement, and a folding blade movable under the other bottom corner of the article before the plunger starts its retractive movement.

" 5. A wrapping machine having a folding channel, a transporter provided with article engaging fingers, means for constraining the transporter for movement in a closed path intersecting the channel, said path being straight where it enters the channel, and means for imparting motion to the transporter with a retarded speed where it enters the channel.

6. A wrapping machine having a folding channel, a transporter provided with article engaging fingers, means for constraining the transporter for movement in a closed path intersecting the channel, said path having straight sides and a rounded corner where it enters the channel, and means for imparting motion to the transporter with a retarded speed at the said corner of its path.

7 A wrapping machine having a folding channel, a transporter movable first in a substantially straight line into the channel and then along the channel, an article re ceiving pocket carried by the transporter, a device for delivering an article and wrapper into said pocket, and timing devices coordinating the device and the transporter so that an article is delivered into the pocket as the transporter moves into the channel.

8. A wrapping machine having a folding channel, a transporter movable in a sub stantially rectangular closed path into, along, and back out of the channel, and mechanism for moving the transporter comprising planetary gearing, a pivot eccentrically mounted on the planet gear, and a connection between the pivot and the trans porter.

9. A wrapping machine having a folding channel, a transporter movable in a sub stantially rectangular closed path into, along, and back out of the channel, and mechanism for moving the transporter comprising a stationary internal gear, a smaller gear meshing with the internal gear, a device constraining the smaller gear for motion in an annular path interiorly of the internal gear, a pivot eccentrically mounted on the smaller gear, and a connection between the pivot and the transporter.

10. A wrapping machine having a folding channel, a transporter movable in a substantially rectangular closed path into, along, and back out of the channel, mechanism for moving the transporter comprising a stationary internal gear, a smaller gear meshing with the internal gear, a device constraining the smaller gear for motion in an annular path interiorly of the internal gear, a pivot eccentrically mounted on the smaller gear, a con nection between the pivot and the trans porter, and mechanism for carrying the smaller gear in its annular path at a speed varying at different points in the path.

11. A wrapping machine having a folding channel, a transporter movable into the channel in a substantially straight line and then along the channel, an article receiving pocket in the transporter, and means for delivering an article and wrapper into said channel and pocket while the transporter is executing its movement into the channel.

12. A wrapping machine having a folding channel, a pocket holding an article on two sides, means for elevating an article into said channel and pocket, and means for shifting the pocket bodily a slight amount in the ch annel during the movement of the elevating means.

13. A wrapping machine comprising a folding pocket, lec ges forming the entrance to the pocket at least one of which is ropnded on the side adjacent the pocket, means for inserting an article and a wrapper into the pocket, and mechanism operable during the movement of the article inserting means to carry the article and wrapper over the rounded portion of the ledge and thereby tighten and crease the wrapper about the corner of tliearticle.

14. A wrapping machine comprising a substantially straight folding channel along which the articles to be wrapped may be moved, an article receiving pocket adapted to hold two sides of an article, means for sup porting and moving the pocket-bodily with a parallel motion in a closed path into, along, and back out of the channel, and means for delivering an article and a wrapper into the pocket.

15. A wrapping machine comprising a substantially straight folding channel along which the articles to be wrapped may be moved, an article receiving pocket adapted to hold two sides of an article placed therein, a series of article pushers, and common means for supporting and moving the pocket and the pushers bodily with a parallel motion in a closed path into, along, and back out of the channel, and means for delivering an article and a wrapper into the pocket.

Lee

16. In a wrapping machine, an article receiving po c ket having parallel walls of sub stantially the depth of the article, and unitary mechanism for moving the pocket with a parallel and continuous motion in a closed path having a longitudinal article feeding component and a lateral component having an amplitude comparable in magnitude with the depth of the article.

10 1?. In a wrapping machine, a guideway along which articles may pass and upon which they may rest, a device for feeding articles to said guideway in a direction substantially at right angles thereto, an article receiving pocket having opposed article receiving walls, and mechanism for moving the pocket bodily with a parallel motion, first toward the guideway to receive an article from said device, then along the guid-eway to feed the article, and then upwardly out of the guideway to release the article.

18. In a wrapping machine, a guideway along which articles may pass and upon which they may rest, a device for feeding articles to said guideway in a direction substantially at right angles thereto, an article receiving pocket having fixed sides space apart a distance equal to the thickness of the article, and unitary mechanism for moving the pocket bodily with a parallel and continuous motion and with its Walls always parallel, first downwardly toward the guideway in a substantially straight line to receive an article from said device, then along the gnideway to feed the article, and then upwardly out of the guideway in a substantially straight line to release the article.

19. A wrapping machine comprising, a substantially straight wrapping channel along which articles may be fed during the coure of the wrapping operation, an article receiving pocket, an article feeding plunger, means for moving the plunger toward and away from the channel at right angles thereto, and means for moving the pockets first into the channel at right angles thereto and. in alignment with the plunger so as to receive an article therefrom, then along the channel and then back out of the channel.

In testimony whereof we have afi'ixed our signatures.

ELMER L. SMITH. FREDERIC B. FULLER. 

